METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS

MRSA

• MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• The reservoir for MRSA is colonized and infected patient
• Risk factors include indiscriminate use of antibiotics, wounds, being older than 65, prolonged hospitalization, multiple hospitalizations, wounds, and the immuno-suppressed
• Colonization of MRSA means the presence of the organism on the skin, or in the nose, or in the back of the throat but without any illness.
• If there is fever of inflammation present then the person is infected
• The majority of MRSA patients are colonized
• MRSA is a significant cause of nosocomial infection in large hospitals worldwide

• Place the patient in a private room
• Dedicate equipment to the patient (i.e. stethoscope, thermometer, BP cuff)
• Immediately was hands with antiseptic soap after leaving the room
• Gloves are to be always worn and discarded before leaving the room
• A clean gown should be worn when providing care for the patient that is going to require prolonged physical contact with the patient, surfaces, or items in the room
• Remove the gown in the patient room and place in a hamper
• Masks should be used if you are going to be within 3 feet of a patient who is coughing, sneezing, or MRSA pneumonia

• Antibiotics commonly used to treat methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus such as flucloxacillin, erythromycin and the cephalosporins are not effective
• An Intravenous (IV) infusion of Vancomycin or Teicoplanin are used to treat MRSA
• MRSA must be treated in the hospital setting

Links to other sites on the Web

Guidelines for Control of Antibiotic Resistant Organisms, Specifically Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
MRSA - An Information Leaflet for Community Care Settings
The facts about ...MRSA
CDC website on MRSA
How MRSA affects the family of an infected patient
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